Food tray and lid apparatus

ABSTRACT

A food carrying apparatus with a receptacle and a lid is provided. The receptacle includes a base and a sidewall. The sidewall extends from the base and includes a rim forming an opening into the receptacle. The receptacle further includes at least a pair of slits formed through the sidewall. Each slit is formed on opposing sides of one another on the sidewall. The lid includes a pair of locking tabs. Each of the tabs is formed on opposing sides of one another on the lid. The pair of locking tabs aligns with the pair of slits. To removably attach the lid to the receptacle, the tabs slidably engage the slits and cover the opening. The receptacle and the lid may be made of a paper based material to be used with food and then disposed of.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/056,192 filed Sep. 26, 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to food trays and, more particularly, to a lid removably attachable to a food tray.

Currently designed food trays do not allow for the application of a single panel detachable and replaceable paperboard or rigid plastic cover. Current options to enclose a food tray with a paperboard or rigid plastic detachable and replaceable lid consist of four panel sleeve designs or four panel lids. Both of these options require additional material and possible gluing, which adds to the cost of the lid. In addition, current tray sleeves are time consuming to apply to trays. Some alternatives (sleeves) require the inconvenience of holding the tray in place while applying the sleeve.

As can be seen, there is a need for a more economical and easy to use food tray and lid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a food carrying apparatus comprises: a receptacle comprising a base and a sidewall extending from the base and comprising a rim forming an opening into the receptacle, wherein a pair of slits are formed through the sidewall, wherein each slit is formed on opposing sides of the sidewall; and a lid comprising a pair of locking tabs, wherein each locking tab is formed on opposing sides of the lid, wherein the pair of locking tabs align and slidably engage with the pair of slits, thereby removeably attaching the lid to the receptacle and covering the opening.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a section view of the present invention, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

The present invention includes paperboard food trays with slits on two sides, allowing for paperboard lids to lock into the slits. Cutting a slit in two opposite panels of a food tray creates a female lock mechanism. A single panel lid designed with male locking tabs on opposite sides of the lid can insert into the slits on the food tray or receptacle, creating a detachable, replaceable lid. The lid is attached by placing the lid over the tray and inserting the tabs. In contrast to four panel sleeves or lids, this single panel lid requires less material to produce and does not require gluing, reducing the cost of production.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, the present invention includes a food carrying apparatus with a receptacle 10 and a lid 14. The receptacle 10 includes a base 25 and a sidewall 24. The sidewall 24 extends from the base and includes a rim forming an opening into the receptacle 10. The receptacle 10 further includes at least a pair of slits 12 formed through the sidewall 24. Each slit 12 is formed on opposing sides of one another on the sidewall 24. The lid 14 includes a pair of locking tabs 20. Each of the tabs 20 is formed on opposing sides of one another on the lid 14. The pair of locking tabs 20 aligns with the pair of slits 12. To removably attach the lid 14 to the receptacle 10, the tabs slidably engage the slits 12 and the lid 14 covers the opening. The receptacle 10 and the lid 14 may be made of a paper based material to be used with food and then disposed of.

In certain embodiments, the sidewall of the receptacle 10 may include four sides. At least two of the four sides include a slit 12. However, in certain embodiments all four sides may include a slit 12. The lid 14 may include four sides. At least two opposing sides of the four sides include the locking tab 20. However, in certain embodiments all four sides may include a locking tab 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the present invention may include two side flaps 18 extending downward from the lid 14 and overlapping the rim and outer surface of the receptacle 10. In certain embodiments, each of the side flaps 18 may include a locking tab 20. The locking tabs 20 may be formed of cutout portions in the side flaps 18. The locking tabs 20 formed by the cutout portions may be biased towards the side flaps 18. Therefore, when the locking tabs 20 are extended and inserted into the slits 12, the locking tabs 20 may apply a force against the sidewall 24, thereby locking the lid 14 to the receptacle 10. In certain embodiments, each of the side flaps 18 may include lifting tabs 22 so that a user may easily remove the lid 14 from the receptacle 10.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the lid 14 of the present invention includes an outer edge. In certain embodiments, the locking tabs 20 may extend from the outer edge of the lid 14. As illustrated, the edge perimeter of the lid 14 may be slightly larger than the perimeter of the rim of the receptacle 10. The lid 14 may thereby be compressed to fit the locking tabs 20 within the slits 12 formed on the sidewalls 24. The bent lid 14 may apply a force against the sidewalls 24, keeping the locking tabs 20 within the slots 12, and thereby keeping the receptacle 10 closed.

As mentioned above, the receptacle 10 and the lid 14 may be made from paperboard or a similar bendable and disposable material, such as foam or plastic. To make the present invention, a die cutter may cut the slits into a sheet. The sheet may then be folded to allow for content to be stored within the receptacle 10. The lid 14 may be formed and a die cutter may place the tabs 20 so that the tabs 20 align with the slits 12. The lid 14 may be removably secured into place on top of the receptacle 10 by placing the locking tabs 20 into the slits 12. The present invention may be used to replace carryout containers that are currently manufactured out of foam, plastic, molded fiber and the like, providing an eco-friendly option for restaurants, institutions and entertainment venues.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A food carrying apparatus comprising: a receptacle comprising a base and a sidewall extending from the base and comprising a rim forming an opening into the receptacle, wherein a pair of slits are formed through the sidewall, wherein each slit is formed on opposing sides of the sidewall; and a lid comprising a pair of locking tabs, wherein each locking tab is formed on opposing sides of the lid, wherein the pair of locking tabs align and slidably engage with the pair of slits, thereby removeably attaching the lid to the receptacle and covering the opening.
 2. The food carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sidewall comprises four sides, wherein at least two opposing sides of the four sides each comprise the slit.
 3. The food carrying apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lid comprises four sides, wherein at least two opposing sides of the four sides each comprise the locking tab.
 4. The food carrying apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a side flap extending downward from each of the two opposing sides of the lid, wherein each of the side flaps comprise the locking tab.
 5. The food carrying apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a lifting tab extending from each of the side flaps.
 6. The food carrying apparatus of claim 4, wherein the locking tabs are formed from cutout portions of the side flaps.
 7. The food carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises an edge, wherein the pair of locking tabs extend from the edge.
 8. The food carrying apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receptacle and the lid are made of a paper based material. 